How can I purchase a lighthouse?
Federally-owned lighthouses rarely pass into
private ownership. Generally a federal, state, or local government entity
takes jurisdiction or there is a legislative transfer to a non-profit when
a lighthouse is excessed by the Coast Guard. In 1999, one lighthouse reached
the public auction phase of the property disposal process. For more information
on public auctions, the General Services Administration (GSA) maintains
a web site for its property
disposal program.
The process for disposing of lighthouses was modified under
the National Historic Lighthouse
Preservation Act in 2000. This legislation places non-profit entities
are on equal footing with federal agencies and other public bodies
to apply for ownership of historic lighthouse properties. In the
event no new acceptable steward is found, the act authorizes the
sale of the property.
Lighthouses which were acquired by private individuals before
the current surplusing laws were established sometimes do come
on the market. Frequently there is a notice of these sales in
Lighthouse Digest, a monthly publication available by subscription
(1-800-758-1444). This publication as well as the Keeper's
Log, available to members of the U.S. Lighthouse Society (415-362-7255),
sometime also mention caretaking opportunities at lighthouses.
Where can I obtain plans for lighthouses?
Many original lighthouse drawings are part
of Record Group 26 at the National
Archives. Most are housed outside D.C. at the National Archives II
Cartographic Division in College Park, Maryland; the address is 8601 Adelphi
Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001; phone: 301-713-7040. Some plans for
what is now the Fifth U.S. Coast Guard District are housed in the Regional
Archives in Philadelphia.
For more recent lighthouse documentation, the Historic
American Buildings Survey/Historic American Engineering Record
has documented many lighthouses. HABS/HAER drawings kept in the
collection at the Library of Congress. The Library
of Congress has been digitizing some HABS/HAER documentation.
Where can I obtain historic photos
of lighthouses?
Many historic lighthouse photos are part
of Record Group 26 at the National
Archives. They are housed outside D.C. at the National Archives II
Still Pictures Branch in College Park, Maryland; the address is 8601 Adelphi
Road, College Park, MD 20740-6001; phone: 301-713-6660.
The U.S.
Coast Guard Historian's Office also houses a collection of
historic lighthouse images.
What lighthouses are in National Parks?
A listing of lighthouses in the National
Park System can be found at the NPS
Maritime Parks page.
Where can I stay at a lighthouse?
Lighthouses which are publicly accessible
are listed by region and state under the Lighthouses
to Visit pages. Two non-NPS sites: "All
Lighthouses Known to Offer Guest Accommodations" and "Lighthouses
with overnight accommodations".
Where can I find books on lighthouses?
Check our lighthouse
reading list for a starting list of titles.
How do I become a lighthouse keeper,
i.e., volunteer?
Boston Harbor Light Station is the only
remaining light station in the United States to have an official keeper.
All other stations are automated. Many lighthouses, however, rely on volunteers
for everyday management, maintenance, interpretation, etc. Try contacting
the lighthouses which interest you directly. Lighthouses which are publicly
accessible are listed by region under the Lighthouses
to Visit pages; contact information for many is provided. Many regional
and national lighthouse organizations rely on volunteers as well. Many
of these are listed under Sources of Information.
How do I research ancestors who were
lighthouse keepers?
Most surviving lighthouse service records
are part of Record
Group 26 in the National Archives. Under Record Group 26, Entry 98,
"List of Light-House Keepers and Other Employees," is available
on microfilm. For more general information on conducting genealogical
research at the National Archives check out http://www.nara.gov/genealogy.
Lighthouse employees are also included in the Official Register
of Federal Employees for odd years from about 1840 to 1890.
(There's a set in the second floor research room in the main branch
of the National Archives in Washington, D.C.; the publication
and may also be available at some federal
depository libraries.) Lighthouse keepers became part of the
Federal Civil Service in 1896.
Great Lakes Lighthouse Research, Dayton, Ohio, has compiled
a five-book series listing Great Lakes lighthouse keepers and
lighthouse tender crews. Email Thomas
Tag for more information.
If the individual served with the U.S. Coast Guard, you may
want to contact the National Personnel Records Center (9700 Page
Avenue, Saint Louis, MO 63132). Please be advised that privacy
restrictions apply to these records.
Where can I find educational materials
about lighthouses?
The U.S. Coast Guard Historian's Office
has posted the "Teacher's
Lighthouse Resource for Grades K-4, originally created by the U.S.
Lighthouse Society. This is only one of the many resources regarding lighthouses
offered at their site.
Can I use a photo off your lighthouse
heritage web site?
You may reproduce any photos credited to
the National Park Service (NPS) or the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG). These
images are in the public domain; however, images from other sources require
permission for reuse by their owners. When reproducing NPS or USCG photos,
please provide proper credit. Unfortunately, we are not able to loan originals
or provide copy prints of any of our images.
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